Jensen’s return boosts hopes for strong finish

Hayley Jensen. PHOTO: ODT FILES
Hayley Jensen. PHOTO: ODT FILES
The Otago Sparks have been boosted by the return of classy all-rounder Hayley Jensen for their final round-robin game.

The White Fern has missed the past three games with a knee complaint.

But she has been cleared to return and will add some much needed power to the line-up.

The Sparks are hosting Northern Districts at the University of Otago Oval today, and will be keen to finish the tournament well.

The side dropped out of contention last week despite getting into positions to win its last two games.

A lack of firepower meant they were not able to finish off the chase against Canterbury on Saturday or Auckland on Monday.

Jensen’s return will add muscle to the order. The 28-year-old is very capable of finding the boundary.

Coach Craig Cumming said she has had "a good week’s rest and recovery ... so we are looking forward to having her back in the group".

Craig Cummings
Craig Cummings

"She is available to bowl if we wanted her to but we will just play that by ear," he said.

"We missed her [batting] power against Auckland and also her experience in that batting line-up."

Seamer Gemma Adams was nursing a shin injury but has been ruled fit.

With one game remaining, the Sparks are in last place with two wins from nine games. But Cumming was pleased with the side’s recent progress.

"We started a bit slow but I put that down to our inexperience. But as the competition has gone on I think we’ve really developed as a team.

"In the last two or three games the performances, especially in the field and bowling, have been really good against some good sides.

"That comes down to the growth of the group.

"But from a batting point of view it has probably highlighted a couple of areas to develop and strengthen, which is a little bit more power and a little bit more understanding of the game situation.

"But the fact the girls were able to experience that and now have a picture of what they need to do for the future is a real positive."

The Sparks have dished up too many extras in some matches, but the bowling has been decent otherwise.

The Sparks have two bowlers in the top 10-wicket-takers in the competition.

Strike bowler Emma Black has 10 wickets at an average of 24.20, and wrist spinner Sophie Oldershaw has 9 wickets at an average of 18.33.

Oldershaw did not get to bowl much in the format last season, but has really stepped up.

She has had to bowl the tough overs at the death and has been rewarded for the hard work she has put in training, Cumming said.

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